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Ivan: The Remarkable True Story Of The Shopping Mall Gorilla
Last updated Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Author: Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Date of Publication: 2014
ISBN: 0544252306
Grade Level: 3rd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2022
Synopsis:
Captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a Tacoma, Washington, mall to attract shoppers. Gradually, public pressure built until a better way of life for Ivan was found at Zoo Atlanta. From the Congo to America, and from a local business attraction to a national symbol of animal welfare, Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla traveled an astonishing distance in miles and in impact. This is his true story and includes photographs of Ivan in the back matter.
| Note to readers: |
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Ivan was born in 1962 in the Congo. He was captured when he was 2 years old and brought to the U.S. where he was sold to Mr. Irwin, owner of the B&I Circus Store. The store called itself “The Biggest Little Store in the World” and often used circus animals and celebrities to attract shoppers. Ivan became their main attraction for 27 years.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Looking at the title, what do you think a gorilla is doing at a shopping mall?
Vocabulary:
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western lowland gorillas: a critically endangered species living mostly in African rainforests, slightly smaller size, brown-grey coat, wider skull & smaller ears
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silverback: adult male mountain gorilla, stocky build with broad chest, long muscular arms, wide feet and hands. Every gorilla family group has a silverback leader who scares away other animals by standing on its hind legs, drummng his chest, striking the ground with his palms and galloping to attac
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poacher: a person who hunts, takes, or kills wild animals illegally
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Looking at the illustration on pg. 4-5, what is Ivan’s natural habitat like? What kinds of activities do you think Ivan did each day? What kind of skills did he learn in his play that helped him survive in the wild?
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How did Ivan’s life change after the poachers took him away from his family and his habitat? What were the new things he had to learn?
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How do you think Ivan felt when he lived with a family who treated him like a human child?
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What was his home like in the shopping mall? What could the owner have done to make his habitat more natural?
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How did people’s feelings about Ivan being held in captivity change? What did they do about it?
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Ivan grew up living with humans for 27 years. What things do you think he had to re-learn when he went to live in the zoo with other gorillas in his natural habitat?
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
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Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
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the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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